W&M preseason camp progresses, no definitive word on QB

Dave Fairbank

As William and Mary begins the final week of preseason camp, coach Jimmye Laycock said he’s pleased with the overall progress as several position battles play out.

“I think everybody’s pretty much on schedule with where we would hope,” Laycock said Monday. “It’s hard to draw a whole lot of overall conclusions as to where we are, but I think we’re doing pretty well.”

Laycock said that minor strains and pulls and tweaks have caused players to sit out a practice or two, which disrupts continuity and affects evaluations.

Quarterback isn’t settled, though sophomore Steve Cluley gets the most practice reps with the first unit and junior Christian Brumbaugh most often practices with the second group.

Laycock doesn’t anticipate naming the starter for the opener at Virginia Tech on Aug. 30 until the weekend or next Monday.

“The overriding thing is both of them have improved significantly from the spring,” Laycock said. “That’s the thing that we’re pleased about. Now, whether we’re up to the level we need … It’s one thing to say you have a starting quarterback or two quarterbacks or three quarterbacks, but you have to get them playing at the level you need.”

Offensive line is another area of concern, more from experience than ability. Only one senior is among the two-deep, and a pair of sophomores and redshirt freshmen are in the mix for playing time.

“They’re progressing like we thought,” Laycock said. “Physically, they’re pretty talented, but they’re young. What we’re seeing is they’re making some mistakes, but they’re good solid players and they just lack experience right now. They can do it, if they know what to do, but if something changes on them, or they see something they haven’t seen, they might not be as quick to adjust or pick it up. But if they know what they’re doing, they’re solid.”

An inexperienced offensive line could present problems against any Football Bowl Subdivision defense, never mind one run by longtime Hokies’ coordinator Bud Foster.

“Don’t think that hasn’t crossed my mind,” Laycock said.

Cornerback, opposite all-conference DeAndre Houston-Carson, is the other primary position battle. Laycock said three or four players are still in the mix to start, among them Trey Reed, Jesse McNeal and Aaron Swinton.

“We’re hoping to have the whole setup finalized by Monday,” Laycock said, “barring any unforseen circumstances.”